(From Sony literature) Blazing speed, enhanced image quality, high resolution and incredible performance are just some of the features advanced amateurs and photo enthusiasts will find in Sony’s newest alpha cameras, models SLT-A77 (α77) and SLT-A65 (α65).

Sony’s latest refinements to its Translucent Mirror Technology make these new cameras the fastest, most responsive interchangeable lens cameras in their class, as well as set new performance benchmarks that even professional DSLRs have yet to achieve. The α77 and α65 both feature a newly developed Exmor™ APS HD CMOS sensor with 24.3 effective megapixel resolution, as well as the world’s first XGA OLED Tru-Finder™ viewfinder. The sensor teams with the next generation of Sony’s BIONZ® image processing engine to handle huge amounts of high speed data from the camera sensor, enabling unprecedented response times and flawless image quality with ultra-low noise when shooting still images or Full HD video.

“We feel that these cameras are not only a significant evolution of our breakthrough Translucent Mirror Technology,” said Mike Kahn, director of the alpha camera business group for Sony Electronics. “They’re also a revolution in terms of redefining how this unique technology can be put to use by enthusiasts.”

Precision AF tracking of moving subjects is more precise with the α77 due to a new 19-point autofocus system with 11 cross sensors. The α65 boasts 15-point AF with three cross sensors. Tracking Focus maintains accurate focus lock on a moving subject -- even if the target is momentarily obscured. Additionally, a new electronic front shutter curtain achieves a minimum release time lag of approximately 50 milliseconds, comparable to much more expensive professional-class DSLRs.

Unprecedented image quality and creative optionsA broad sensitivity range of ISO 100-16000 expands (α77 only) down to ISO 50. At the highest sensitivities, both cameras can freeze fast action or capture atmospheric low-noise shots without flash. Low ISO settings are ideal when used with a long exposure to create expressive shots, such as splashing water.

Both cameras showcase a remarkably crisp OLED Tru-Finder™ viewfinder, the world’s first of its kind. With a 2359k dot (XGA) resolution, this precision electronic viewfinder offers a bright, highly detailed, high contrast image with 100 percent frame coverage and a wide field of view comparable to the most advanced class optical viewfinders.

However, unlike optical viewfinders, users have expansive customization capabilities through the XGA OLED Tru-Finder™ viewfinder and can preview the effects of adjusting exposure, white balance and other settings in real-time. Photographers can also make fine focus adjustments via a zoomed-in portion of the image.

The Smart Teleconverter displays an enlarged central portion of the image sensor, allowing compositions to be displayed clearly on the OLED viewfinder and captured as 12 megapixel images with a digital zoom factor of 1.4x or 2x.

In another first for DSLR cameras, both new models can capture Full HD video at 60p (progressive) frame rates -- incorporating the recently introduced AVCHD™ Progressive (Ver. 2.0) format. Also, 24p shooting is available for capturing beautiful cinematic video footage. Manual focusing and P/A/S/M exposure modes, familiar to creative filmmakers, also can provide enhanced control during video shooting.

Shooters can compose and review stills and video on the adjustable-angle three-inch Xtra Fine LCD™ display that offers high resolution (921k dot) and TruBlack™ technology for superb detail and contrast. As an extra refinement, the α77 introduces the world’s first three-way adjustable screen that tilts and pivots freely for effortless framing at any angle (α65: two-way adjust LCD).

Revised ergonomics on both cameras include a comfortably contoured new grip design and tactile new button layout for ‘eyes off’ operation while viewing via the high-resolution XGA OLED Tru-Finder™ viewfinder.

The α77 adds front and rear control dials for intuitive fingertip operation and a separate top-mounted LCD data display. The durable body features magnesium alloy panels for strength and lightness. Key controls are sealed against the effects of dust and moisture, complementing similar levels of protection offered by the new SAL1650 lens, VG-C77AM Vertical Grip for α77 and HVL-F43AM flash unit.

A new shutter unit on the α77 is tested up to 150,000 cycles and supports an ultra-fast minimum 1/8000 sec shutter speed (1/250 sec flash sync). On-board GPS allows automatic geo-tagging of photos and video clips with location data.

An optional dust- and moisture-resistant VG-C77AM Vertical Grip for α77 assures comfortable handling in vertical shooting positions. It can house up to two NP-FM500H InfoLITHIUM® batteries, doubling shooting stamina up to approximately 1060 shots (via LCD monitor)/940 shots (via Tru-Finder™ viewfinder) when using Memory Stick PRO Duo™ media. Other new A-mount system accessories include a back pack (LCS-BP2), soft carrying cases (LCS-SC21 and LCS-SC8), LCD protectors and eyepiece cups.

Pricing and AvailabilityThe new α77 Translucent Mirror interchangeable lens camera will be available in a kit with the new SAL1650 f2.8 lens for about $2000, and offered as body-only for about $1400. The SAL1650 lens will also be sold separately for about $700.

The new VG-C77AM vertical grip, designed for the α77 camera, will be available in October for about $300.

The new α65 Translucent Mirror interchangeable lens camera will be available in a kit with a standard 18-55mm lens (SAL1855) for about $1000, and offered as body-only for about $900.

Both the α77 and α65 cameras kits and the new SAL1650 lens will be available this October at Sony retail stores as well as other authorized retailers throughout the Sony dealer network.

See the Sony A77 Hands-on Preview on imaging-resource.com. Or post your own review below!

Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: $999.00| Rating: 10

Pros:

Focus is verry good. New firmware adds nice stuff. Wireless flash and other stuff from A700 & other 7-series. Movie functions are great. Price is now strong.

Cons:

Still heavy

Improvement have continued as new firmware comes out. Camera has the same CDAF function as A99. With the price now dropping, there is no reason for A700 users to wait anymore.

translucent mirror

Registered: February 2012Posts: 4

Sony Alpha SLT-A77 review by translucent mirror

Review Date: 5/23/2012

Would you recommend the product? No |
Total Spent: $1,300.00| Rating: 8

Pros:

Good picture quality in good light

Cons:

Poor high ISO performance

I long awaited update to KM a7.
A good camera coupled with the 16-50 f2.8 lens in the right lighting conditions. High ISO performance is poor at best and anything above ISO800 is not usable. The 12fps bust rate is fun to have at times as I have not explored “action” photography is before I had this camera and focusing speed is reasonably fast. Having said that, the buffer is small so it means that you will effectively have only one second of 12pfs burst before you will have to wait till the buffer clears to be able to shoot again.

We've been shooting with the SONY SLT A77 for a month as of today. We were formerly shooting with SONY SLT A55s and were not expecting as much photo quality improvement as we got... we were really surprised.

We've taken almost 6,000 excellent photos including 3 wedding shoots and 2 engagement shoots at the beach. We have experienced none of the problems that we've read about in various forums and the camera has lived up to and exceeded all of the hype.

The 1st 2 weddings were under much less than ideal lighting situations and the SONY SLT A77 did a fabulous job of handling them. After shooting our 2nd wedding we were so impressed with the performance that we sold all 3 of our SONY A55s and purchased a 2nd SONY A77 and the wonderful SONY 16-50 2.8 kit lens.

The camera is much larger than the A55s were but not too large for Rina Marie's normal sized female hands and my average sized male hands. The camera is heavier than the A55s but is a bit lighter than the Pentax K20Ds with battery grips that we used to shoot with. The way the buttons and dials are laid out it ALMOST makes you think that Sony put a lot of thought in their placement. My one gripe on the buttons is that the movie button could have been in a better location and being able to start and end shooting the movie with the shutter button would have been great. The 3 way tilt screen is awesome! I especially like being able to almost fold the screen almost flat on top of the camera and shoot low flowers straight on without actually getting down on the ground.

The speed of the camera is amazing. The finished photos are on the large LCD screen before the subject has even finished saying "cheese"! The color is also superb as is the video. The 1st video clip I shot was so clean it was like watching HD cable TV.

A few tips:
Keep mind when you shoot video in less than bright light people will have an orange tint to their skin so get an external light.

If you are using screw type lenses the AF sound will get picked up by the camera, get an external mic!

If you plan doing a lot of shooting get extra batteries and mega storage SD cards. We are getting about 800 shots per battery using an external flash and 1125 photos on a 16GB card.

If you are already experienced with SONY cameras you should pick up the menu and functions quickly, but there are a lot of new bells and whistles to enjoy and experiment with. If you are not experienced with SONY, read the manual several times and try things on the camera as you go.

Get a SONY external flash... it will communicate with the camera much better than the built in flash does.

Stay away from zoom lenses with big ranges, especially the 3rd party ones. Most of them are very soft on both ends and after you get some good glass you'll be kinda embarrassed by your photos from them. If you can't afford SONY "G" lenses or the new 16-50 2.8 lens start off with some legendary MINOLTA lenses. They will cost about the same as 3rd party lenses but give you much sharper photos with better color. By all means do not embarrass your camera by mounting the SONY 18-55 lens on it. It's a great "kit lens" for beginners and people who don't know better but it's only a kinda OK lens.

Overall we highly recommend this camera to anybody that will listen. We edit professional wedding photos from our photographers from all over the country that shoot with different models of SONY, Canon, Pentax, Nikon, Olympus, and Fuji cameras. All of those cameras have their good/great points but none of he photos can compare to the photos we are currently taking for the total color and sharpness package.

We have a few thousand photo samples and test shots from both the SONY SLT-A77 and the SONY 16-50MM 2.8 lens on our site. Go to the SONY|MINOLTA tab at http://www.abettterdj.net